Planet Fitness -- opinions please
DebraYvonne
Posts: 632 Member
I am looking to join a CHEAP gym I can cancel if need be. I want cardio and a few weights -- nothing fancy. Is this the place for me?
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They offer a free trial work-out. Go try it and see. If you're fairly new to working out, and don't want a lot of the heavy free weights, etc, it's kind of fun. I really liked the recumbent bikes they had at the one near me, but they don't have a pool, so I never became a member.0
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I've worked out at a lot of gyms. I just don't need the 1 yr. commitment right now. This one is very close to my house. Not lifting heavy -- have a shoulder injury.0
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Must admit, when I am over in the US at our HQ there is one behind the hotel I normally stay, and I honestly love it. They might have some strange "rules" (thee shalt not shout, thee shalt not voice an opinion), but the equipment is really good, the price super affordable for what you get, and they open at 5am0
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Honestly, I hear a lot of bad things and it almost turned me off to it based on the forums here, but they are 24 hour and close to my house and cheap... and I'm basically there for cardio. I do weights at home (until I outgrow them).
I like it, the staff are super nice and so are the people there, mine is clean and has all new equipment (it's only been open a year). I did the black card membership and use the water massage bed once a week at least and have already used the 20% off Reebok discount twice.0 -
I've been a member at our local Planet Fitness for a couple years and it will totally fit the bill. I only go when the weather is not conducive to outdoor walking, and don't feel guilty about "wasting" $10 for them to be available. There are months when I go 20-25 times, and other months I only go 2-3 times - so it balances out. Mine is open 24 hours during the week, with long hours on Saturday and Sunday.0
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I don't know where you are, but the Planet Fitness I go to (and all the others in my area) still require a 1 year minimum commitment for the advertised price. I have been a member for a while, but when I signed up for the black card membership, it was $20/month plus a $50? sign-up fee and $21 annual fee. The month-to-month member ship was $50/month and the guy at the desk got really aggressive and seemed almost offended when I first inquired about the month-to-month before becoming a member.
In terms of the facility, I like it. I don't lift heavy. The hours are nice, and the equipment is clean and well-maintained. In several years, I have only heard the lunk alarm twice (not directed at me) and both times were within one week.0 -
It depends on what you want out of it. If you want to really get into traditional lifting...i.e. compound movements using Olympic bars and plates, etc...well, that's not it's place. That's where most of the knocks come from...basically they treat people who are actually into lifting as some kind of mutant freaky scary thing...even though we're doing things that have been around for 100 years or more and these movements are basically the foundation of any solid lifting program.
If you just want somewhere to go for some general fitness...plenty of cardio equipment and resistance machines, and some dumbbells, it's fine. I used to have a membership just for cardio during crappy weather, but I found somewhere better. I would generally consider it to be a fitness center vs. a gym.0 -
From what you described, it will probably fit your needs.
Personally, and editorially, I wouldn't ever join one of their centers (I wouldn't call it a "gym") because I disagree with their corporate philosophies and advertisements shaming fit people.0 -
For what you are looking for, I would say PF is perfect and you will get what you need.0
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Sounds like it would work well for you. I joined about a year ago. $30-40 annual fee. $10 plus tax monthly. I just did the single club membership as I don't travel and don't bring a companion. I go like jaynee7283 posted above. Some months I go a lot, others hardly at all. But for what works out to less than $15/month I find it to be a great resource.0
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Must admit, when I am over in the US at our HQ there is one behind the hotel I normally stay, and I honestly love it. They might have some strange "rules" (thee shalt not shout, thee shalt not voice an opinion), but the equipment is really good, the price super affordable for what you get, and they open at 5am
Just curious. I was out of town wanted to use a gym for a day and pf was the closest one. Guy said they charged $20 for a day pass. WTH that is black membership for a month.
How much they charge you?0 -
Thanks everyone. I may give the week's free membership a try and see what I think.0
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I am a member at PF and I haven't had any problems. I signed up with the initial fee was waived... there is usually a promotion of some kind, so I would see if there is one now. If not, I guarantee one will come back around. I pay $20/month for the black membership which includes access to all facilities in the country, unlimited guest privileges, massage, tanning, and "personal training" in addition to just regular gym access. I sometimes go a lot, I live in Michigan and winter is unbearable, and some months I don't go at all, but I think for $20/month it works out well.
I have never had a problem with the staff or the facility itself. I think it's funny that people are complaining about their "philosophies" and "shaming" practices. I have never seen that. They talk about being "lunk free" and "judgment free" and personally I appreciate that. I go to the gym to run and lift, not to be hit on. So, if it keeps some of the lunks away, I don't mind. That being said, I have seen many fit people, lunking around the gym and it's not like they are shaming them or kicking them out. So, if you are just going to get your workout in and keep to yourself, I think it's a great place to work out.
That's just my opinion.....0 -
It's cheap. It's accessible. They have a lot of stuff for cardio, and dumbbell work.
If you're not into weightlifting, then I'd be hard pressed to find a better place to suit your needs.0 -
juggernaut1974 wrote: »From what you described, it will probably fit your needs.
Personally, and editorially, I wouldn't ever join one of their centers (I wouldn't call it a "gym") because I disagree with their corporate philosophies and advertisements shaming fit people.
^ My sentiments exactly, on both points. Probably a good fit for what the OP is looking for, but I wouldn't ever set foot inside a Planet Fitness facility because of their corporate hypocrisy/advertising. The most judgmental "no-judgment zone" that ever existed.0 -
Adding to what other people have said...
You CAN get a good workout there, especially if you're a beginner. It wouldn't be optimal, due to some of their more ridiculous rules and restrictions, but you can make progress.
If you want to make progress faster, you'd be better off going to a more full-fledged gym that has better equipment and allows the exercises that they strangely prohibit. If that's not an option though, then yeah, you can still make a decent amount of progress at PF.
I would recommend supplementing it with some other workouts, though. Perhaps some intense boot camp classes at some other facility. Trust me when I say that most people don't realize how valuable these kinds of intensive efforts can be -- especially for beginners.0 -
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brenstar05 wrote: »I have never had a problem with the staff or the facility itself. I think it's funny that people are complaining about their "philosophies" and "shaming" practices. I have never seen that. They talk about being "lunk free" and "judgment free" and personally I appreciate that. I go to the gym to run and lift, not to be hit on. So, if it keeps some of the lunks away, I don't mind. That being said, I have seen many fit people, lunking around the gym and it's not like they are shaming them or kicking them out. So, if you are just going to get your workout in and keep to yourself, I think it's a great place to work out.
That's just my opinion.....
This!! I have been a member of PF for two years and I have never seen any of the negative things people think goes on at PF. Honestly most of the people I see working out there are quite fit/muscular and no one gives anyone crap about anything. I've never had to deal with what I hear a lot of people deal with at other gyms - constantly being hit on, people getting in the way by standing there taking selfies and "pretending" to work out. That sounds ridiculous to me. Everyone I see there is there to better themselves and that's it.0 -
meganridenour wrote: »brenstar05 wrote: »I have never had a problem with the staff or the facility itself. I think it's funny that people are complaining about their "philosophies" and "shaming" practices. I have never seen that. They talk about being "lunk free" and "judgment free" and personally I appreciate that. I go to the gym to run and lift, not to be hit on. So, if it keeps some of the lunks away, I don't mind. That being said, I have seen many fit people, lunking around the gym and it's not like they are shaming them or kicking them out. So, if you are just going to get your workout in and keep to yourself, I think it's a great place to work out.
That's just my opinion.....
This!! I have been a member of PF for two years and I have never seen any of the negative things people think goes on at PF. Honestly most of the people I see working out there are quite fit/muscular and no one gives anyone crap about anything. I've never had to deal with what I hear a lot of people deal with at other gyms - constantly being hit on, people getting in the way by standing there taking selfies and "pretending" to work out. That sounds ridiculous to me. Everyone I see there is there to better themselves and that's it.
That doesn't happen at most gyms either BTW.0 -
singingflutelady wrote: »meganridenour wrote: »brenstar05 wrote: »I have never had a problem with the staff or the facility itself. I think it's funny that people are complaining about their "philosophies" and "shaming" practices. I have never seen that. They talk about being "lunk free" and "judgment free" and personally I appreciate that. I go to the gym to run and lift, not to be hit on. So, if it keeps some of the lunks away, I don't mind. That being said, I have seen many fit people, lunking around the gym and it's not like they are shaming them or kicking them out. So, if you are just going to get your workout in and keep to yourself, I think it's a great place to work out.
That's just my opinion.....
This!! I have been a member of PF for two years and I have never seen any of the negative things people think goes on at PF. Honestly most of the people I see working out there are quite fit/muscular and no one gives anyone crap about anything. I've never had to deal with what I hear a lot of people deal with at other gyms - constantly being hit on, people getting in the way by standing there taking selfies and "pretending" to work out. That sounds ridiculous to me. Everyone I see there is there to better themselves and that's it.
That doesn't happen at most gyms either BTW.
^ This. I have been a member of well over 20 (non-PF) gyms over the last 35+ years and I have never seen any of the negative things people think goes on in them. Women go about their workouts without being assaulted, pawed or raped, guys go about their workouts without standing in the way taking selfies or "pretending" to work out. In fact, in most gyms nobody even pays attention to what's going on around them unless somebody is doing something extraordinarily stupid - which, in most cases, gym staff will take care of immediately. The dreaded "lunk" is actually a very rare animal and doesn't exist in nearly the numbers gymophobes conjure up in their frenzied imaginations.brenstar05 wrote: »I have never had a problem with the staff or the facility itself. I think it's funny that people are complaining about their "philosophies" and "shaming" practices. I have never seen that....
Ever seen one of their television commercials? Go to YouTube and search "Planet Fitness commercial", you'll see plenty of their mocking/shaming practices. Let's start here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdccUsn8N4Y 0 -
singingflutelady wrote: »meganridenour wrote: »brenstar05 wrote: »I have never had a problem with the staff or the facility itself. I think it's funny that people are complaining about their "philosophies" and "shaming" practices. I have never seen that. They talk about being "lunk free" and "judgment free" and personally I appreciate that. I go to the gym to run and lift, not to be hit on. So, if it keeps some of the lunks away, I don't mind. That being said, I have seen many fit people, lunking around the gym and it's not like they are shaming them or kicking them out. So, if you are just going to get your workout in and keep to yourself, I think it's a great place to work out.
That's just my opinion.....
This!! I have been a member of PF for two years and I have never seen any of the negative things people think goes on at PF. Honestly most of the people I see working out there are quite fit/muscular and no one gives anyone crap about anything. I've never had to deal with what I hear a lot of people deal with at other gyms - constantly being hit on, people getting in the way by standing there taking selfies and "pretending" to work out. That sounds ridiculous to me. Everyone I see there is there to better themselves and that's it.
That doesn't happen at most gyms either BTW.
That's good. It just sounds like it's commonplace with the way people talk in the "gym pet peeves" threads around here...0 -
I go there and love been member for 5 years there0
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im in my2nd year of it and for what *I* need, its great.
due to a temporary move last summer to care for my grandfather, i was a member of the Y and another gym (anytime fitness). the Y was DISGUSTING and i never felt welcome/comfortable at AF. and on top of it, it was always disgustingly dirty.
tip: if you go sign up for the $10/month plan.MY club at least will send an offer in the mail to upgrade to the black card with no additional sign up fee. i dont know if they all do that, but mine did.0 -
meganridenour wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »meganridenour wrote: »brenstar05 wrote: »I have never had a problem with the staff or the facility itself. I think it's funny that people are complaining about their "philosophies" and "shaming" practices. I have never seen that. They talk about being "lunk free" and "judgment free" and personally I appreciate that. I go to the gym to run and lift, not to be hit on. So, if it keeps some of the lunks away, I don't mind. That being said, I have seen many fit people, lunking around the gym and it's not like they are shaming them or kicking them out. So, if you are just going to get your workout in and keep to yourself, I think it's a great place to work out.
That's just my opinion.....
This!! I have been a member of PF for two years and I have never seen any of the negative things people think goes on at PF. Honestly most of the people I see working out there are quite fit/muscular and no one gives anyone crap about anything. I've never had to deal with what I hear a lot of people deal with at other gyms - constantly being hit on, people getting in the way by standing there taking selfies and "pretending" to work out. That sounds ridiculous to me. Everyone I see there is there to better themselves and that's it.
That doesn't happen at most gyms either BTW.
That's good. It just sounds like it's commonplace with the way people talk in the "gym pet peeves" threads around here...
By and large, the pet peeves mentioned in those discussions are entirely different from so-called "lunk" behavior. In fact, they're mostly the sort of things that non-lunks would do -- lounging on equipment, being a chatty cathy, and so forth.0 -
meganridenour wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »meganridenour wrote: »brenstar05 wrote: »I have never had a problem with the staff or the facility itself. I think it's funny that people are complaining about their "philosophies" and "shaming" practices. I have never seen that. They talk about being "lunk free" and "judgment free" and personally I appreciate that. I go to the gym to run and lift, not to be hit on. So, if it keeps some of the lunks away, I don't mind. That being said, I have seen many fit people, lunking around the gym and it's not like they are shaming them or kicking them out. So, if you are just going to get your workout in and keep to yourself, I think it's a great place to work out.
That's just my opinion.....
This!! I have been a member of PF for two years and I have never seen any of the negative things people think goes on at PF. Honestly most of the people I see working out there are quite fit/muscular and no one gives anyone crap about anything. I've never had to deal with what I hear a lot of people deal with at other gyms - constantly being hit on, people getting in the way by standing there taking selfies and "pretending" to work out. That sounds ridiculous to me. Everyone I see there is there to better themselves and that's it.
That doesn't happen at most gyms either BTW.
That's good. It just sounds like it's commonplace with the way people talk in the "gym pet peeves" threads around here...
By and large, the pet peeves mentioned in those discussions are entirely different from so-called "lunk" behavior. In fact, they're mostly the sort of things that non-lunks would do -- lounging on equipment, being a chatty cathy, and so forth.
Yep according to their advertising and signs around the building. Lunks will be the guys in tank tops, drinking water from a gallon jug, grunting, dropping the weights or deadlifting. Not hitting you, "pretending" to workout, lounging on the machines, or taking selfies.0 -
But OP if you feel you can get a good workout there go for it.0
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I joined the Ymca because of the no commitment. Anytime Fitness gave me a 2 minute tour and then the manager asked, "So do you want to sign up for 1 year or 2 years? And I need to know by tonight or the price goes up 8 dollars a month tomorrow." Ugh, I wasn't 100% sure on joining a gym, and that just terrified me.
The Y is only $44 a month, and cancel at anytime. I know my initial thought when someone suggested the Y was "Ewww...." but the one I go to is HUGE, and completely remodeled when they moved to this location 2 years ago. There's saunas in all the locker rooms, a track, racquet ball, weight machines, cardio machines with cable TV, free weights, classes.... it's ridiculously nice.0 -
Why would you need to cancel?0
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try it and see whaat you think. Some are very good, some are supposedly not. Good price and if you get a good workout and it fits what you need, then it will be good.0
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